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Research Foundation of the City University of New York

EIN 13-1988190 · New York, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (THE FOUNDATION) IS A PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION CHARTERED BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN 1963. ALTHOUGH THE FOUNDATION PERFORMS A VARIETY OF SERVICES FOR THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (THE UNIVERSITY), IT IS A SEPARATE LEGAL ENTITY GOVERNED BY ITS OWN BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OPERATED BY ITS OWN MANAGEMENT TEAM PURSUANT TO THE FOUNDATION'S BYLAWS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. THE FOUNDATION RECEIVES, HOLDS AND ADMINISTERS GIFTS, GRANTS AND CONTRACTS; ACTS AS TRUSTEE OF EDUCATIONAL OR CHARITABLE TRUSTS; FINANCES THE CONDUCT OF STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN ALL FIELDS OF INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY; ASSISTS IN DEVELOPING AND INCREASING FACILITIES; AND PERFORMS OTHER TASKS IN SUPPORT OF THE EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY. THE FOUNDATION EMPLOYS STAFF; ENTERS INTO CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS; AND ACQUIRES SUCH FACILITIES, GOODS AND SERVICES AS ARE APPROPRIATE TO ITS PURPOSE.

Income
$667.7 million
Spending
$665.1 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
14,396
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$386,919, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $233.7 million spent. ORGANIZED RESEARCH - INCLUDES ALL EXTERNALLY FUNDED RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, BOTH BASIC AND APPLIED, AND ALL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. A SYSTEMATIC, INTENSIVE STUDY INTENDED TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SUBJECT STUDIED, SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TOWARD APPLYING A NEW KNOWLEDGE TO MEET A RECOGNIZED NEED, OR A SYSTEMATIC APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE TO THE PRODUCTION OF USEFUL MATERIALS, DEVISES, AND SYSTEMS OR METHODS, INCLUDING DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPROVEMENT OF PROTOTYPES AND NEW PROCESSES TO MEET SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS. IT ALSO INCLUDES ACTIVITIES RELATED TO TRAINING OF INDIVIDUALS IN RESEARCH TECHNIQUES (COMMONLY CALLED RESEARCH TRAINING) WHERE SUCH ACTIVITIES UTILIZE THE SAME FACILITIES AS OTHER RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. (Expenses $ 53,227,596 including grants of $ 515,978)(Revenue $ 10,833,604) OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY - WHEN ACTIVITIES ARE UNDERTAKEN BY THE INSTITUTION WITHOUT OUTSIDE SUPPORT, THEY MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES. OIA TYPICALLY INCLUDES AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES IN SUPPORT OF ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDE: STUDENT UNIONS, DINING HALLS, ATHLETICS, RESIDENCE HALLS, THEATRES, ETC.
  2. $174.8 million spent. OTHER SPONSORED ACTIVITY - PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS FUNDED BY FEDERAL AND NON-FEDERAL AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT INVOLVE THE PERFORMANCE OF WORK OR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NOT CONSIDERED INSTRUCTION AND ORGANIZED RESEARCH THAT BENEFIT THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY. OSA TYPICALLY INCLUDE COMMUNITY OUTREACH OR DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
  3. $159.9 million spent. INSTRUCTION/TRAINING - INCLUDES ALL SPONSORED TEACHING AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES, EXCEPT FOR RESEARCH TRAINING, OF AN INSTITUTION WHETHER OFFERED FOR CREDIT TOWARD A DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE, ON A NON-CREDIT BASIS, OR THROUGH REGULAR ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS OR BY SEPARATE DIVISIONS, SUCH AS SUMMER SESSION. (Expenses $ 53,227,596 including grants of $ 515,978)(Revenue $ 10,833,604) OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY - WHEN ACTIVITIES ARE UNDERTAKEN BY THE INSTITUTION WITHOUT OUTSIDE SUPPORT, THEY MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES. OIA TYPICALLY INCLUDES AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES IN SUPPORT OF ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDE: STUDENT UNIONS, DINING HALLS, ATHLETICS, RESIDENCE HALLS, THEATRES, ETC.
  4. $53.2 million spent. OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITY - WHEN ACTIVITIES ARE UNDERTAKEN BY THE INSTITUTION WITHOUT OUTSIDE SUPPORT, THEY MAY BE CLASSIFIED AS OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES. OIA TYPICALLY INCLUDES AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES IN SUPPORT OF ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDE: STUDENT UNIONS, DINING HALLS, ATHLETICS, RESIDENCE HALLS, THEATRES, ETC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1982.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.